Saudi makes promises in US cooperation agreement

19 May 2008

Saudi Arabia has stated its intent to rely on international markets for nuclear fuel and not to pursue "sensitive technologies" in a Memorandum of Understanding on civil nuclear energy cooperation signed with the USA. Under the agreement, signed by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal, the US undertakes to "assist the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop civilian nuclear energy" by helping with the development of human and infrastructure resources. Saudi Arabia also became the 71st nation to sign up to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and joined the Proliferation Security Initiative which commits participants to work against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.